Well, what should I buy?

[yaremchl]

I am seeking a 90 size heli, but also considering a few 50's. What is out there and good, low parts count, etc. So far, I am thinking a JR Vibe 90 or the Venture 50 but I have not done all my homework and need some opinions/suggestions.

Here is the shortlist:

Venture 50 / know nothing about this one and have not heard much either
Airskipper 50 / know nothing about this one and have not heard much either
JR Vibe 90 / might be a little too pricey


I don't fly 3D, nor do I plan to. You'll notice Raptor is not in the list. nothing personal or against them, just don't want what everyone and their dog has. I want something a little different I think. Are there more 90's to consider?

I looked at the Miniature's and the Bergin's, but I'm not sure I want to spend $2000 on just the frame alone.

Thanks,
Lane

[Ade]

take a look at the knight 50 3d. its all 90size tech in a 50 size airframe with a 50 size price tag.

not be put off by the "3d" tag. its got adjustable bell/hillier ratio so you can set it up how you want. what that 3d tag also gives you is a model that will stand up to normal everyday abuse that a 3d pilot gives it in stock form meaning theres no upgrades to be purchased.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=8407707265633409746&hl=en-GB

Ade

[yaremchl]

Wow.. that's pretty quick man. Typically, most videos I watch, the 50 size seem sluggish, but that could just be the pilot because I saw a JR Vibe 90 move at unreal speeds 3' from the ground (Leon Luke).

I'd like to hear from people with a Venture or Airskipper. Is the Airskipper new, never heard of it before?

~Lane

[Ade]

never been much of a JR heli fan. parts were always pretty expensive and the voyager is pretty heavy for a 50.

nice smooth heli tho.

airskipper has been out about a year I think. never hear much about it. im sure they are nice helis but the lack of feed back does seem to suggest its nothing special.

Ade

[yaremchl]

That's what I want is "nice and smooth". Did you mean Voyager or Venture?

[Ade]

hmm thats a point... pretty sure i have flown both the voyager and the venture but cant place the specific helis. They are nice helis for basic stuff and im sure they will do most of the book but neither really inspired confidence.

Ade

[casper7]

Forget those take a look at the Sceadu EVO 50, flys like a .90 very stable very smooth and cheaper to repair should you crash. Also every LHS has spares

http://www.augustoheli.com/videostuff/videoarchive/HelifreakArchive/J/default.asp

JaredEvo50.wmv check this out on the link above smooth

[Ade]

casper have you flown a knight 50 3d? i had a sceadu the knight leaves it for dust!

[casper7]

No could not get a supply of parts so went with the EVO 50, I see Midland Helicopters have a knight sitting on the counter, don't think its a sport though. If they decide to stock the Knight and the parts could see me getting a Knight, but not the sport as I don't like the look of it for some reason :confused: , plus I want to build my heli :rolleyes:

I do however, I like the weight of the EVO, makes for a bigger bird feel, how does the knight feel, like a raptor or more like an EVO?

Mike

[Ade]

head geometry is quite similar to the sceadu but more adjustable. in 3d mode its crisper, faster and more accurate than the sceadu tho.

if the knight at midland has shared shaft CCPM then its the new 3d that i am flying now and will be flying at masters.

Ade

[Munch]

Lane, Is this your first heli?

If so then I'd not push the "tried and true" heli's (ie. raptors) too far away. I would check out your local club and strongly consider flying what they fly.

If you've got more experience then you'll probablly be just fine picking one of the less common models.

I'm also kinda confused on what you want outta the heli. You mention you don't want to do 3D but then comment how 50's look sluggish in the video's you've seen. Isn't sluggish ok then?

90's are considerably more stable and smooth in flight but can be monsters of 3D if one wishes. 50's are more stable than 30's but not as smooth as a 90 and still do pretty dang good in 3D (as Ade and others have shown). If you can afford it go with a 90. If not then 50's are still great heli's.

Daniel

[yaremchl]

Lane, Is this your first heli?
Nope, I have a couple. Corona and Logo 10, well, and a Blade CX; does that count as one :)

I'm also kinda confused on what you want outta the heli. You mention you don't want to do 3D but then comment how 50's look sluggish in the video's you've seen. Isn't sluggish ok then?
Ya, sluggish is fine with me. The heli in that video launched a lot faster than any other .50 video I have seen, other than the Vibe 90 expert, Leon Luke.

90's are considerably more stable and smooth in flight but can be monsters of 3D if one wishes. 50's are more stable than 30's but not as smooth as a 90 and still do pretty dang good in 3D (as Ade and others have shown). If you can afford it go with a 90. If not then 50's are still great heli's.
Whelp, I am no expert. Been learning to fly for a little more than a year now. I can only hover and do sloppy eights, etc. Not in to 3D, just looks like a controlled crash to me. Granted there are a couple of cool moves I have seen and I wouldn't mind doing the odd loop or roll myself, but that's about it; of course, that's probably how it starts.

I was originally considering a 90 size and would love to have one. It's only a few hundred more really. Since I'll have to drive somewhere to fly a nitro, might as well go for a 90... I don't know... what's the difference in cost on the crash scale between the two... roughly?

I can afford to buy one, just not sure I could afford to maintain it.


~Lane

[Ade]

at your level a 90 will only intimidate you. Its quite common for somebody thats been flying a year to go get a 90 and all that happens is it gets hovered because they are scared of it.

Get a 50 there is almost no difference in the way they perform. Im competing in 3dmasters this year with a couple of knight 50 3ds

There is a much bigger price difference than you think, everything has to be much much better and thus more expensive.

Over here a good 50 will cost you about 850ukp to get flying. a 90 is 1500-2000ukp because you have to use better servos. then you have the fuel costs. a 50 gets a bit over 10 flights to a US gallon a 90 gets about 7.

90s are cool and if i had the money i would probably be using a synergy at masters they have a better presense in the air but unless your competing i personally dont feel the need.

Ade

[yaremchl]

Well thanks Ade. I agree with the costs. I've done a little comparisons and the costs are much higher. For example the motor is twice the cost alone.

I disagree with you about the scare factor thou. I mean it's probably true in lots of cases, but not all. You don't know me or the next guy so you can't really say don't buy one because it will scare you away.

I'm going to get the 50 because it's substantially lower cost.


Thanks for all the help and advice people. It's very much appreciated,

Lane

[casper7]

I think Ade has seen enough new heli pilots to make that assumption in terms of being scared. That comes with experience and running a flying school I think he is qualified to make that assumtption.

I also thought I would go the .90 route after a year of flying around, had a 2nd hand Raptor 90 lined up to purchase, but my instructor put the buddy box on and we had a fly, needless to say I went for the .50 size instead and I am glad I did. Its scary :eek: :eek: :eek: and I don't scare easy :censored:

[Munch]

can't comment on being scared on a 90 since I've never even seen one fly.

But.......I am a puss with my blinged out raptor 50. I do some super lite 3D with my Hawk 30. My Trex is where I learn things usually from the sim. And last but not least.....My Blade flying usually starts with something like "hey, watch this" :D

I'm a puss

Daniel